Pat Alcaro Nominates Peter S. Izzo as the Next President of The Sandy Hook Foundation

Pat Alcaro joined The Sandy Hook Foundation in 2005. During her tenure as trustee, treasurer, and later president, the Foundation completed the renovation of the Lighthouse Keepers’ Quarter adjacent to the historic Sandy Hook Lighthouse, rebuilt the Observation Deck at the northern tip of Sandy Hook, and helped with the restoration of History House and the Fort Hancock Museum. The Foundation also installed bike repair and hydration stations along the Multi-Use Path. Additionally, the Foundation gave Gateway National Recreation Area $100,000 to expand the existing camp ground on Sandy Hook. This new camping experience for large groups is expected to open this spring. 

In 2019, Pat became the president of the Foundation. At the same time, the Foundation suffered from the cancellation of the summer concert series and a country-wide shutdown due to the Covid pandemic. Yet, Pat was able to bring on three new trustees and hire a Director of Development (DoD). Under the guidance of the DoD, the Foundation was awarded three National Park Foundation (NPF) capacity-building grants. As the country-wide shut down came to an end, the Foundation was able to reinitiate its fundraising goals, focusing on their mission to work with the National Park Service to enrich the visitor experience here on Sandy Hook.

This fall, the Foundation invited Peter S. Izzo to join the Board of Trustees, and Pat recognized excellent leadership qualities.

On January 3, 2023, Pat nominated, and the Board unanimously approved, Pete Izzo as the next president of The Sandy Hook Foundation. Pat will stay on temporarily as Vice President to offer Pete assistance with the transition. She believes Pete will be an excellent president as The Sandy Hook Foundation initiates their Strategic Plan for 2023-2025 and beyond. 

2023 Board of Trustees

Back Row l. to r. : Rich Eittreim, Secretary; Pete Izzo, President; Dick Lilleston, Treasurer; Pat Alcaro, Vice President; CJ Gutch, Brian Malley

Front Row: Maren Morsch; Ellen Bollinger

Missing: Gerry Glaser, Vice President

Gateway National Recreation Area Celebrates 50 Years as a National Park in 2022-2023

Get Your Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Commemorative Poster Today!

Receive a high-quality print of Erick Sahler’s WPA-style Gateway National Recreation Area 50th Anniversary print. The prints measure 8.5” x 11”, ready to be displayed or framed.

Your donation supports the work of The Sandy Hook Foundation, to preserve and protect Sandy Hook's natural and cultural resources. Limited quantity. $40.00 each, includes shipping.

Order Today!

Save the Date!

Spring Soiree

Saturday, May 20, 5:30pm - 8 pm

Spermaceti Cove Lifesaving Station No. 2

Sandy Hook

Please save the date to join us at this festive event in an exclusive location on Sandy Hook. The event will feature light bites by Chef David Burke and Red Horse Rumson, raw bar by The Lusty Lobster, and an auction filled with experiences and activities only available to our guests. Details to follow, see you at the beach!

The Sandy Hook Foundation Named Charity Partner of Jersey Shore Half Marathon on Sandy Hook for 2023

JOIN OUR TEAM!



The Sandy Hook Foundation is very pleased to again be named the official Charity Partner of the 2023 Jersey Shore Half Marathon. The race will take place on Sunday, October 1 on Sandy Hook and will be produced by the Shore Athletic Club (Shore A.C.), with support from the National Park Service at Sandy Hook. 

This year, we invite you to be a part of The Sandy Hook Foundation Team in this 2-mile run or half marathon race, as we raise funds for our work in the park. Early Bird discounts for signing up soon. Please, join us!

Camp Gateway Open for Reservations!

Visit the campsite reservation link HERE and book your spring or summer camping trip on Sandy Hook today!

Sandy Hook Visitor Center (Lighthouse Keepers Quarters) & Park Store

Saturdays and Sundays

10 AM – 4 PM 

Visit the Lighthouse Keepers' Quarters exhibits on New Jersey lighthouses, a rotating art exhibit, and if you're still looking for a unique holiday gift, please visit the park store.

Call (732) 872-5970 for more information

Sandy Hook Harbor Seal; photo courtesy of Ron Iacobucci

DIY February in the Park

There are many ways to explore Sandy Hook on your own this winter.

Visit the seals during low tide along Officer's Row. Please park your car behind the houses and remember to keep your distance from the seals, at least 150 feet away. This will prevent the seals from stressing and keep both seals and humans safe to enjoy the views. If you can't make it out, enjoy their antics by joining the Sandy Hook Seal Watch Facebook page.

The park is open from 6 am to 9 pm. Take in the beautiful light and visit the park at sunrise or at dusk to get some fabulous pictures. For inspiration, check out the many photographers who regularly visit the Hook and share their photos on the SANDY HOOK New Jersey Facebook group. Members of this group are very generous in sharing their photos with The Sandy Hook Foundation for use in fundraising and marketing materials in support of our park, Sandy Hook. We thank you!

Looking to get away this winter? Enjoy a staycation or invite friends and family to visit and stay in these beautifully renovated spaces for rent inside historic Fort Hancock. Visit Sandy Hook Rentals to learn more about the bayside rental along Officer's Row, or Beach and Bay Getaway for another option to rent through Airbnb in historic Fort Hancock.

Sandy Hook is your park, in all seasons!

The Sandy Hook Foundation is a Recipient of New Jerey Historical Commission's Inaugural Inclusive History Grant Round

The Sandy Hook Foundation is very pleased to be awarded a grant to fund a project that explores under-represented narratives in New Jersey history.

The FY 2023 IHGP awards totaling $306,123 went to just 14 organizations statewide for a disparate array of work across the disciplines of archeology, research, interpretive planning, and oral history. All funded projects will explore under-represented narratives in New Jersey history with a goal of expanding inclusive, community-centered interpretation and resources offered by historic sites and history organizations for a public audience.

“Telling complex, diverse, and nuanced histories will continue to be a priority of the New Jersey History Commission, and this funding is an important next step to achieving that essential goal,” noted Secretary of State Tahesha Way. “These grants will support a wide range of disciplines and give our history stakeholders the tools to create and maximize the educational and programmatic impacts for diverse audiences ahead of, during, and in the aftermath of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.”

Sandy Hook's project will examine the lesser-known story of Colonel Tye, an escaped local slave siding with the British in exchange for his freedom. His “motley crew” included a few dozen Black loyalists who were also promised freedom if they sided with the crown. Their encampment at Sandy Hook became known as Refugeetown — “where the horse thieves resort,” as the Pennsylvania Evening Post reported in 1780.

The project includes identifying and hiring an iterpretive planning consultant who will work together with the National Park Service at Sandy Hook for ten months, to identify themes in Colonel Tye's story which are relevent in today's world. This project will lead up to and be presented during the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026. Interested candidates may read the full RFP HERE.

Review the full press release issued by NJHC HERE.

The Sandy Hook Foundation is honored to be part of of the inaugural class of grant recipients and looks forward to working together with the National Park Service at Sandy Hook to present this important narrative to our visitors in 2025 - 2026.

Image of Colonel Tye Courtesy of NPS, GNRA

FISH ON

Fishing Access Permits will be available for purchase, 

online only, through recreation.gov between March 1 and May 15 and again between September 15 and November 15.

Permits will not be available before 10 am on March 1, and payment will not be accepted in person. Information about when and where to pick up vehicle decals will be available on recreation.gov at the time of purchase. 

You can find out more about fishing access permits (as well as some of the other permits available throughout the park) on Gateway's website.  Click HERE to learn more about permits.

The Sandy Hook Foundation (SHF) achieved the 2022 Platinum Seal of Transparency from Guidestar/Candid which is the highest level of transparency. Guidestar's mission is to revolutionize philanthropy by providing information that advances transparency, enables users to make better decisions, and encourages charitable giving.

The Sandy Hook Foundation, a designated

501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the Official Friends Group of the

National Park Service at Sandy Hook.

We rely on your support and every donation is meaningful.

Please, consider your contribution today.